In this live Curious About Screenwriting podcast, we offer a teleconference with Jen Gristanti – one of the top writing coaches and consultants in the business right now. Jen is also an instructor with NBC’s Writers on The Verge, and was previously a programs executive under Aaron Spelling. Jen, alongside the Director of Community Outreach with the ISA, Max Timm, offers her insights on the writing process with a focus on how character drives story and the importance of balancing character and plot. Very basically, character drives plot and plot drives character. She uses many examples of current and past shows, but the focus of this interview really is the Q&A portion and answering the callers’ questions. We answer multiple questions that focus on many different topics – from the business of writing in general, to the specific gem at the end about what should and should not be included in a TV series bible.
As always, get your pen and paper handy and take notes. What Jen offers here is invaluable on so many levels, but one of her core missions is to support a writer’s overall growth as a writer – in other words, it’s more than just giving story advice. She gives the kind of emotional and motivational support that all writers need. We hope you get a lot out of this Q&A, and please share these podcasts with anyone who you believe will learn from them. Don’t forget to find the Curious About Screenwriting podcasts on iTunes and to rate us there. We offer these interviews to you for free, and getting your rating on iTunes helps us push forward in our mission to provide top quality content through the International Screenwriters’ Association. Thanks and enjoy.